The next installment of the popular manga series Jujutsu Kaisen is scheduled to officially launch on February 5th, 2024. However, as often happens with highly anticipated manga, some sneak peeks and unofficial raw images from chapter 249 have already leaked online ahead of that full release date.
These early leaks come from the printing and distribution process for the Japanese Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, which serializes Jujutsu Kaisen.
Once the next issue makes its way through the production channels, images inevitably get out and circulate amongst enthusiastic fans online.
The last chapter revealed some interesting character dynamics and plot points that seem likely to play into this upcoming segment. It showed the villainous Sukuna gaining key insights into protagonist Yuji Itadori’s unique abilities.
This prompted contemplative silence from the typically talkative Sukuna.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing Culling Game storyline, Sukuna secured and consumed Tengen, adding a shocking rule change. This then sets the stage for the popular character Yuta Okkotsu to join and confront Sukuna.
Spoilers
The latest installment opened by flashing back to show more of Yuta Okkotsu’s confrontation with the central antagonist Kenjaku.
It depicts the moment Yuta decapitates Kenjaku, which causes the numerous cursed spirits Kenjaku had been controlling to break free and rampage wildly. This forces Yuta to fully unleash his powerful ally Rika to contain the freed curses.
Meanwhile, Kenjaku’s severed head starts flying away, still alive. In a contingency plan, he instructs his ally Kogane to implement a new rule to give Megumi Fushiguro the authority to merge humanity with Tengen.
So even in defeat, Kenjaku has a backup scheme in motion. The chapter also implies he recently finished some unknown “inheritance ritual” with the sinister Sukuna.
Kenjaku then sends the Tengen entity to Sukuna in an embryo form right before Yuta can destroy his head. As he’s pierced, Kenjaku remarks he’s glad to have been the last one to “play” with Takaba, suggesting a past connection.
This sequence indicates that Kenjaku has finally been killed off for good.
Yuta’s Inner Struggle with Survivor’s Guilt and Sukuna’s Looming Threat
After the flashback, the leaked pages switch back to the current battle as Yuta finally confronts Sukuna. Yuta observes that Sukuna’s reversed cursed energy output seems to be stabilizing, suggesting he will soon regain enough power to activate his lethal domain expansion.
Yuta bitterly regrets not joining Yuji’s raid team to take down Sukuna earlier. He believes if he had been there, Maki could have fought Kenjaku instead, sparing Yuta to finish off the antagonist as he ends up doing anyway.
But Yuta soon reassures himself that his presence was necessary in the streets – Rika’s specific abilities were essential to quell the freed curses and save civilians when Kenjaku lost control of them.
So the spoilers reveal some compelling character dynamics as Yuta grapples with survivor’s guilt and doubt over not interceding against Sukuna directly sooner.
But he rationalizes the necessity of his actions that protected innocent people, finding some sense of purpose. The specter of Sukuna unleashing his domain still looms amidst this introspection though, reminding readers of the imposing threat Yuta now faces alone.
The leaks paint a grim portrait – Yuta lamenting failed opportunities to prevent calamity, while still steadying his resolve to shield others from harm. All building tension toward the long-awaited matchup between Yuta and Sukuna at their full powers.
Yuta and Sukuna’s Explosive Face-off with Domain Expansions
The leaks show Yuta making the first move by swinging his sword at Sukuna, but it gets easily caught before making contact. Yuta realizes Sukuna hasn’t actually touched the blade and lets go of it to instead land a surprise punch to his stomach.
Yuta’s ally Rika then joins the fray and they launch into a barrage of joint attacks on Sukuna.
This ultimately leads Yuta to activate his impressive domain expansion, “True & Mutual Love”, against the long-awaited foe. But Sukuna counters it with his own domain, “Hollow Wicker Basket”.
Undeterred, Yuta quickly follows up by using the ice attack “Thin Ice Breaker” he had previously copied from Takaba Uro. This slices Sukuna’s face, albeit superficially.
Sukuna then recognizes Yuta from accessing Megumi’s memories – identifying his spirit manipulation abilities and copying the cursed technique.
So the chapter builds anticipation with a long-teased face-off, as Yuta pulls out all stops by unleashing both his domain and an array of copied skills.
But the cunning Sukuna proves resilient as expected, even gaining key insights into Yuta’s arsenal from Megumi’s experiences. Their explosive dynamic clash continues to ramp up.
